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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

When it comes to explaining divorce to children, many parents freeze. How can you tell them that life as they have always known it will change in a very big way. Breaking the news to your kids is perhaps the hardest part about getting a divorce, because you know that it will cause pain and confusion to the one's you love the most.

I remember the tears welling up in my son's eyes as I told him that his Dad and I weren't going to live in the same house anymore; how I struggled to find the right words to make him believe that we still loved him and that everything would work out in the long run. Oh, how I wished that I had some guidance on how to tell him in a way that would make it easier. I didn't have anything but instinct to guide my discussion at the time. But you can benefit from the insight of Rosalind Sedacca as she explains how to tell kids about divorce in such a way so they can accept it.

To view the remainder of this article written by Rosalind Sedacca click below:

Your divorce attorney will need to meet with you in advance of your mediation date to discuss the mediation process, the strengths and weaknesses of your case, review possible exhibits with you, and ensure that you are confident in the points of your case.If you have any questions or reservations about the mediation process, you should raise them with your attorney at this meeting so that you can walk into mediation feeling as prepared as possible.It is important that your divorce lawyer has reviewed potential exhibits and has a strong understanding of the case in advance of mediation.Often there will be an exchange of information or documents in advance of mediation, even if complete discovery is avoided to ensure that the attorney has access to the information necessary for them to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the case. This is important to know in advance of mediation to put you in the best negotiating position.If your attorney explains that your case has many strengths, but also some weaknesses, do not be alarmed. It is important for you to understand this in advance of mediation so you do not feel overwhelmed or caught off guard if those issues are raised by the opposing party at the mediation, and they likely will be.To view the remainder of this article by Sara Pitcher click:http://www.dadsdivorce.com/articles/meet-with-your-divorce-attorney-prior-to-mediation-for-better-results.htmlFor more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/
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Forensic evaluations (also referred to as custody evaluations) can be a useful tool in child custody litigation but can also be costly and time consuming.So what does a forensic evaluation entail, and why is it used? Will your child have to undergo a stressful psychological evaluation?The Forensic Evaluation Process:The forensic evaluation process typically entails the appointment of a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health expert to evaluate the family in question through the review of various documents, a series of tests and interviews, and information gathered from third parties.Forensic evaluations are typically used in cases where a couple simply cannot agree to the legal and/or residential custody of a child or if there are concerns with abuse, mental health issues, or substance abuse.A judge may order a forensic evaluation on his or her own volition, or a party may request that an evaluation be completed.To continue reading the remainder of this article by Sarah J. Merry, click here:http://www.dadsdivorce.com/articles/forensic-evaluation-the-child-custody-report.html

Many of the women who seek my guidance as a relationship coach are suffering
from a broken heart. Sometimes their heart is still freshly bruised; other
times they tell me stories of past romantic traumas they have never recovered
from.

I remember the first time my heart was broken like it was yesterday. His
name was Dennis McCormick and he was sexy, funny, wise and for my 16 year old
tender heart he was IT. I was young but it sure didn’t feel like puppy love to
me. I was head over heels.

We were together as a couple for only a few months and were really just
getting to the good part as far as I was concerned. Past the initial
awkwardness and beginning to have a routine as a couple when suddenly he stopped
calling. This happened right in the middle of a school holiday so I didn’t have
a convenient way to run into him. I called, no response. Agony. Then school
started up again and I was anxious to confront him on his bad behavior or at
least be reassured that he had simply been hanging out with his guy friends.

To see the remainder of this article by Kat Kehres Knecht, click here:

Going through a divorce during the holidays can be emotionally wrenching, which is why many people don't do it -- they put it off until January. "People don't want to upset the apple cart over the holidays, and they want a peaceful Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year's. And then, because they don't want to spend another damned year with that spouse of theirs, as soon as the holidays are over they pull the plug and file," says Alton Abramowitz, president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

While there are no hard numbers on how many divorces are filed in January, Abramowitz says it's undoubtedly a popular time to act, rivaled only by September, when marriages break up after the summer holidays. Yet waiting for the holidays to pass doesn't all come down to simply wanting a harmonious holiday season. There are sound financial reasons to wait until January.

You may view the remainder of this article at nbcnews.com by clicking the link below:

Monday, October 22, 2012

When a marriage ends, it is usually accompanied by intense emotions that too often result in terrible choices being made that end up hurting the couple and the children. You don’t have to be Gandhi, Buddha or any other kind of evolved spirit to have a “Peaceful Divorce,” but you do need to have the intention to do so.

What we tell ourselves, what we believe IS our reality. You can have any kind of divorce you want to have. You can tell yourself that he or she is a rat, pig, etc. who would never be reasonable enough to sit down peacefully and work out fair terms and that will be your reality.

However, as an alternative, you can have an inner dialog that will produce another result. You can keep an open mind, think positively and make your goal be to "keep the peace". The conversation you have with yourself and the informed choices you make determine what kind of life and experience you will have. You may be devastated by the news your spouse wants out. Maybe you are furious at what you perceive to be unreasonableness on the part of your spouse. You might be in a lot of different emotional places right now.

Divorce is one of the hardest life transitions people face. The two of you are probably not getting along. Does it make sense to increase the conflict and spend precious time fighting when there is an alternative?

The best course of action for grandparents to take when their children are getting divorced, is to be a peace keeper. Refrain from encouraging your child to hire the biggest shark in town. Believe it or not, very little good will come from escalating the emotional tension. Rather a good choice would be to suggest collaborative law, whereby the goal of the parties and their counsel is to resolve the matter outside of Court. There is almost nothing to fight about if both sides are honest. As for custody, in the collaborative setting the parties, counsel and a child development specialist can sit down and develop a custodial plan that is best for the children and the parents. This is a far better solution when parents cannot agree on custody than proceeding to Court. This will also put more money in the parties' pockets rather than spending their funds on attorney fees and costs. To find out more about Collaborative law telephone today to schedule a consultation. For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/
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As your transition into a one income household look at your income and determine if there are ways for you to make more money at least until you have your finances in check. If you have poor budgeting habits, making more money isn’t going to be silver bullet to answering all your woes. Unless you change your spending habits, you will find yourself in a vicious cycle and working really hard to get there. Here are some options:1. Consider a part-time job this holiday season. The 10-20 hours you work between now and the end of the year might help you pay off a credit card balance so that you can get ahead of the curve.2. Ask for a raise at your current job. If you believe that you are underpaid, do some research to get a rough estimate of what people are being paid in your position (based on geographical location and education level) and go to your boss with the results.3. Reduce your commuting costs. If the cost of your daily commute is continuing to rise while your income stays the same, it might be time to look for a way to reduce the costs. This could mean moving closer to your job or finding a job closer to home.4. Get an employee referral bonus. Many employers now offer an incentive to employees if they refer a prospective employee who gets hired. In some cases this could be $1000 or more! If you help your employer find the skilled workers they need, this could benefit you without your having to work very hard. Check with your company’s human resource department to see if they offer such a program.

Divorce is a crazy time anyway, but when you add the pressures of a volatile situation to it, it can seem unbearable. To help cope, try to find a support group or get some counseling to help you during this time. Your local shelter can provide a lot of support and resources for you. Don't be ashamed to ask for help.Your attorney can also recommend appropriate therapists once meeting with you and assessing your current situation and needs.
For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/
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Friday, October 19, 2012

Relationships are very complicated, so we should not make them more complicated by adding an age clause. Obviously you are dating, not taking admission into a school or college where you need to mention and take care of the age thing. Love happens, when it has to, without taking care of the cast, color, creed, nationality, religion or age. So try to keep things simple while dating. You have to act maturely if you wish to have a long lasting and happy relationship. Age does not matter when you have found a true love. There are many online dating sites which help you to meet new people and explore new possibilities but if you keep your mind puzzled with the number game then dating will become a maze for you.There is no secret to a happy relationship. Every relationship needs your understanding and a mature outlook. You have to work on it. Online dating sites give you an opportunity to step out and explore the world other than your restricted entry zone. There have been many successful relationships, in which the women are older. Time is changing and so is the dating pattern. Now more than a mate, we try to look for a soul mate. Now you do not date just to find a suitable partner but now you date to find a good life-partner. As people are acting maturely after looking at the rising rate of divorce cases. So, leave age behind and date with a smile.
For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/
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In order to recognize early abusive signs, one must stop rationalizing “abusive” behaviors as “normal.” If you see ONE abusive behavior, regardless of how small, you need to remind yourself that it IS abuse. Period! With this new skill, you will soon be dating men or women who treat you with dignity and respect—the way we all deserve to be treated.Below is a list of common abusive behaviors to watch for from abusive men or abusive women:

Deciding on divorce is a big decision. You should understand that you aren't a bad person just because you think you want a divorce. Your spouse is not automatically a bad person because he/she may be causing you to feel this way (or so you may think), you're just people, plain and simple.

Being in "limbo" is a horrible feeling because you can't really get rooted if you are in limbo...all you know is that you aren't happy and don't know what to do. You may feel stuck in a rut or feel like you are wandering aimlessly. Whatever the case, not being certain of what will happen can be tough to swallow and only contributes to your being unhappy. Another reason that this is usually a tumultuous and arduous time for people who are in this stage of life because it usually involves self reflection and a heightened awareness that may never have been reached before in your life.

This can be most difficult and scary, but I assure you it is healthy in the long run. When doing this "inward reflection", you may find out some things about yourself that you may not like. You may recall some things you had forgotten. You may realize that this isn't all your fault or you may realize that you had a hand in leading yourself here too. Whatever happens from here on in, your mindset has to be conducive to being brutally honest to yourself.

To make an educated and informed decision on how best to move forward you should have an initial consult so that you can be advised of your rights and what you are entitled to.

Sometimes when one is going through a tough time it can help to bake. This is my favorite brownie recipe--from Paula Dean's website. I've made it many, many times and it's fail proof. Word to the wise: Eat one and take the rest to work!!

Ingredients

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

4 large eggs

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted

Frosting:

4 ounces (4 squares) unsweetened chocolate

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1/2 cup pasteurized egg substitute (recommended: Egg Beaters)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar, sifted

4 cups mini marshmallows

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a 2-quart bowl in the microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla and mix well with a spatula. Add the flour and stir to combine. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes.
While the brownies are baking, make the frosting. Melt the chocolate and butter in a medium bowl in the microwave on high for 3 minutes stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the egg substitute, vanilla, and sugar and stir with a spoon until smooth. Stir in the marshmallows; they will soften but not melt completely. Spread the frosting over the warm brownies. The frosting will set up when the brownies are completely cooled. When cool, cut into 1 1/2-inch squares and store in the refrigerator in a plastic container with a snap-on lid.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Coping with the nostalgia may be difficult during the holidays. The first Thanksgiving or Christmas after a divorce will be fraught with poignant memories of previous Thanksgivings and the traditions you shared. You can expect to feel sad. The contrast between how you felt in previous years and how you feel this year will make it even more painful. Take this year to make new traditions. If you always spent Thanksgiving with your spouse's family, go visit yours this year. Consider volunteering at a soup kitchen, or having a Christmas dinner with your friends. When you're dealing with divorce, don't put all your focus on how things were. Think about how things could be now, and take steps to make them that way.

Rather than accepting that high conflict is inevitable in divorced families, our goal should be to reduce the conflict. Shared parenting provides an incentive for parental cooperation, negotiation, mediation, and the development of parenting plans. Most parents can successfully learn to minimize conflict when they’re motivated to do so, and shared parenting provides this incentive. A number of specialized interventions to help parents reduce conflict have been developed, including therapeutic family mediation, parent education programs, and parenting coordination. A key strategy is keeping parents focused on their children’s needs, and enhancing parents’ attunement to their children’s needs. The main therapeutic task in high conflict families is to help divorcing parents separate their previous marital hostilities from their ongoing parenting responsibilities. Parents who remain challenged in this regard also have the option of parallel co-parenting. Over time, as the dust settles, parallel parenting may become replaced by a more cooperative co-parenting arrangement.

1. Don't try to recruit your child into siding with one parent against the other.2. Do contain your hostility in front of the children. Hearing divorcing parents argue is the most common cause for a child of divorce to have problems.3. Do renegotiate a healthy co-parenting relationship after divorce. You don't have to be best friends with your ex, but you do need to have a civilized relationship so that your child is not burdened by your ongoing anger. 4. Don't badmouth your ex in front of your child. In fact, make a point of telling your child a few good things about the other parent. 5. Do get on the same page with your ex about all rules concerning the children--bedtime, homework, amount of screen time, curfew, and so forth. 6. Do take a parenting class or attend family therapy with your ex if you are having trouble coming to agreement about rules and consequences for your child. Allow a professional to help you manage your anger at your ex.7. Don't badmouth your ex's parents or other family members. Children love their grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and if a parent says negative things about them the child will feel conflicted.8. Do reassure your child that she did not do anything to cause the divorce. Children often feel guilty when parents get divorced and need to be reassured that the divorce was not their fault.9. Do tell your child that both parents will continue to love him and spend time with him.10. Do tell your child that you expect her to continue to do well and be happy.

If you still feel overwhelmed or are experiencing negative effects after a significant amount of time has gone by, don't hesitate to seek professional help. It might seem daunting to talk to a counselor but it can be an invaluable resource in bringing about the emotional healing that needs to happen. The counselor will help you understand what you are feeling and work through it in a safe environment. Any Negative patterns, traumatic childhood experiences, cultural differences, can be addressed with time and grace. In addition, it can bring insight and personal growth which will positively influence your relationship with your ex-spouse, your children, and prepare you for a successful relationship with a future spouse.Renee Marcelle can provide you with referrals upon your request.

Sometimes the divorce and problems after the event all pile up and can become unbearable making it depressing and overwhelming. Since there is no way back and no way out though you must start sorting your issues into smaller manageable chunks and just work at one at a time or the task may seem to be too much.

Try not to focus on the negatives. Find good things and focus on them even if they seem too small to make a difference against the negatives. The trick is breaking your problems into smaller chunks … after a while you have collected enough good positive feelings, thoughts and emotions that they can start to make an impact … never let go of the good things and actions you take!

Set a goal. a goal in mind even if depression does strike you having something to do is important, it could be a life goal, an emotional goal or even a physical goal it does not matter. Achieving something makes you feel good and helps against depression and negative thinking.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

If you love your children, your ex's parents love them also. It is not good when you don't maintain a good relationship together, even when they didn't do anything for you. If you had difficulty with their boy, they have absolutely nothing to do with it; it is your individual problem between you and their son.

• Don't discuss your ex-husband whenever you speak with them• Keep all things beneficial even life is a bit hard for you• Greet all of them on unique days: Getaways, Birthday, Wedding anniversary • Always invite all of them if you will be having a party as well as celebrating one thing with pertains to kids• Set a regular get together with your kids as well as their grandparents• Send them emails or perhaps greeting cards now and then, just to find out how they are doing, inform them that you still care for them.• Be steady
Following these simple guidelines will help to maintain healthy relationships and is in the children's best interest.

1. Come across as a serious person. Divorce is a painful process that leads to neglect of oneself, physically and emotionally. Make that extra effort to reach the court on time, look well-groomed, wear neat and tidy clothes. Avoid outlandish attire, weird hairstyles and garish makeup. Maintain a calm attitude at all times, avoid negative body language (such as crossing your legs or arms while speaking, laughing unnecessarily, sounding silly) and turn off those distracting gadgets.2. If you're asked to speak up, maintain eye contact and be respectful to the person who asked you to answer or comment. Avoid sharp sarcasm, mockery or any other harsh responses, even if the situation justifies it. Avoid glaring angrily at your spouse or his/her attorney.3. If you're startled by a question or if you do not understand it, say so and ask for it to be repeated. Do not make any assumptions on behalf of the judge while making your point. It is certainly not the time to be reserved, superstitious or hesitant. Be truthful and honest. At the same time, be extremely careful not to make up lies and concoct stories to prove your point.Ask your attorney to arrange for a mock trial in case you have never been to a courtroom before or if you're unsure of the nature of divorce proceedings and rules and regulations of the court.

4. This is perhaps a no-brainer, but do not spring surprises at your own attorney with regard to the facts of the case or "skeletons" in your closet. Any sign of disagreement between you and your attorney may not instigate a judge, but it might prove beneficial to the other party. At all times, project your trust in your own attorney.

5. In general, before every single reaction/response, put yourself in the shoes of the judge and imagine what reaction would be appropriate. If you wouldn't like what you imagine, chances are they won't either. This way, you can work at effectively curbing any behavior that would hamper your credibility and weaken your case.

6. At the time of the trial, if you're already in another relationship, do not bring your new partner into the courtroom. Even if it's a custody battle, where the new person's credibility or position in society could prove beneficial to your case, consult your attorney before bringing them to court.7. Do not engage in conversation with your spouse or his/her attorney during trial recesses.

There are some behaviors which should distinctly be avoided in general and especially in the Courtroom:

1. Negative body language such as rolling of the eyes, smirking and in general, reacting to everything that your spouse or his/her lawyer says is incorrect.2. Having your cell phone ring while the proceedings are on is not right.3. Interrupting when the judge or lawyer is speaking is improper. As a part of the legal strategy, your spouse's lawyer may be blurting out lie after lie (perhaps even to provoke you) and you will be tempted to retaliate instantly. But speaking out of turn is a strict no-no!4. Uncontrolled outbursts and "name calling", depending on the nature of the accusation is wrong. An impulsive reaction may be justified, but it must be avoided at all times.5. Displaying a general lack of seriousness in the proceeding by turning up in informal attire, chewing gum, twirling your hair, fiddling with your keys or fixing your makeup while the trial is on is not correct.6. Whispering to your attorney or arguing with your attorney is also inappropriate.

Once you have chosen your apartment and are ready to meet with the leasing representative at the community, the following information will be needed to expedite the approval process:

Driver's license for U.S. citizens, passport for non-citizens.

Financial information, such as checking and savings account information.

Check, money order, or cashier's check for the deposit.

Proof of income or ability to pay rent. If you're employed, bring a recent pay stub or tax return. If other financial assistance will be provided, you must show proof of income/ability to pay, such as a pay stub or tax return, and a passport or U.S. Social Security number.

If you are receiving child and/or spousal support take a copy of your current support order with you.

When you begin divorce proceedings, organization is crucial. The more prepared you are, the more likely the process will go more smoothly. Your preparation will also show your spouse (and his attorneys) that you mean business and can't be pushed around.

Here are some steps that can assist you:

**Not all illicit behavior ends up on the ten o'clock news. It's important you document any events that will strengthen your case.

**Gather all financial documents containing your name. Record the names of the financial institution, account numbers, and contact information. Include stocks, insurance policies, pensions, and retirement accounts. Be especially sure to locate life-insurance policies, as they may affect child support and alimony.

**Change any passwords that your husband has knowledge of or access to. Not only can this protect assets, it will prevent vindictive behavior on the part of your spouse -- such as theft.

**Hide your passport and your children's.

**Make a list of which items were gifts and which you bought with your own money before the marriage.

**With your digital camera, create a visual catalogue of all your physical possessions, including furniture, furnishings, art, collectibles, rugs, electronic and computer equipment, china, cars, and so on. Itemize everything on a spreadsheet as well. Organize the original receipts if you have them. Save the images on a flash drive that you can carry with you.

Your divorce is final. Now, your friends are telling you that it’s time to start dating again. You want to attract Mr. or Mrs. Right.

You might wish to check the following Inventory List to ensure that you are doing what you have to do, to achieve your goal.

You are emotionally stable. You have made peace with your history and are comfortable with who and what you are.

You have no chemical addictions which could impede your clarify of thought and action.

You have made a list of the ingredients of your perfect mate. Itemize those qualities that are a priority, and qualities that are of lesser importance.

Evaluate the demands of your life. Consider how a new mate is going to fit into your life, and any considerations that are relevant.

Evaluate your person and what you have to offer. Be confident but also be honest, with yourself. If you expect an extremely physically fit partner, you should probably anticipate that this person will expect you to be somewhat physically fit, as well.

Let’s be honest; first impressions are important. If you are stuck in a beauty rut, it’s time to enter a new phase, and that might mean a change in your skin care regime, a new hair color, or some new clothes. Glowing skin and a smile can work wonders!

Believe in yourself, and specifically, believe in the power of attraction. Feel confident that you will meet the person that is right for you.

Anticipate and expect that Mr. or Mrs. Right should cherish you. You deserve it.

Positive thoughts are important. However, you also have to take action. Make an effort to socialize and interact with a wider circle of persons. Enjoy a new hobby. Even if your new mate is not actually in your yoga class, he or she may be introduced to you via the new friend that you meet, stretching next to you.

If you meet others whose goals are incompatible with your own, drop them from your list of potential partners. If you want to meet a stable mate for marriage, and you happen to meet someone who is fun-loving and into bar-hopping , you can be friends with them- but do NOT think that you can change them.

Have fun with the process of dating until you meet your Mr. or Mrs. Right.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

This is likely the most difficult period you have experienced in your life. There will be times when your former spouse will offend you, be unkind and you will want to speak your mind. Be sure to do so in an appropriate manner. Refrain from sending mean spirited letters, text messages and emails to your soon to be ex. This may make you feel great temporarily, but will become embarrassing evidence later on. Attorneys are great at saving messages, massaging them, packaging them, and then presenting the result in court many months later. Don't provide the other attorney with an opportunity to embarrass you.

1. Guard Your Personal Information – Guarding your personal, sensitive information should be absolutely first and foremost on your agenda when it comes to online dating. Most internet dating sites are filled with "normal" people who are honestly looking for someone else – whether for casual dating or for a serious relationship that leads to marriage. However, there's another set of people you should be concerned with who are in it for all of the wrong reasons and who's intentions are anything but serious.

2. Create a Free Email Address – There are plenty of free email services to choose from so make an email address that's exclusively for use for your adventures in online dating, at least until you've met someone you know you can completely trust. You don't want messages from a jilted "e-date" to be clogging up your work inbox!

3. Choose a Reputable Service – There's certainly no shortage of websites and services devoted to bringing people together romantically, so before you can start looking at other people's profiles, you've got to choose a dating site that meets your needs. When you visit the various dating sites, be sure to thoroughly read their FAQ or Help pages before signing up for anything, and make certain you understand the membership fees, if any, as well as what their refund policies are.

4. Take Your Time – Time is of absolutely no concern in cyberspace. Don't get so excited about meeting a potential profile match that you rush out and put a down payment on a house for the two of you. Take plenty of time to get to know someone before getting serious, or before taking the next steps forward toward a physical relationship.

5. Ask for Photos – Besides the obvious aspect of whether or not you're physically attracted to someone, asking for a few photos also helps to gauge whether or not a person is being honest and seriously looking for a relationship of some sort – or if they're someone merely prowling the internet for reasons that are usually best left unsaid. You'll also want to make sure you're getting pictures that are relatively recent and that you're using recent ones in your own profile as well.

6. Using the Phone – After meeting someone online and chatting for a while, the next step is to exchange telephone numbers and see if the sparks are still flying through the phone's wires. Talking on the telephone is a great way to learn about a person so be sure to make phone "meetings" a part of your online dating agenda before taking the relationship any further.

7. Follow Your Gut Instincts – Most people have an inbred sense of instinct, but whether or not we actually listen to that inner voice and heed its wise warnings is a completely different story. If something just doesn't seem quite right to you, then chances are, it probably isn't. Don't make the mistake of second guessing yourself. Instead, learn to rely upon your natural instincts and listen when they're trying to tell you something.

Once you have chosen your apartment and are ready to meet with the leasing representative at the community, the following information will be needed to expedite the approval process:

Driver's license for U.S. citizens, passport for non-citizens.

Financial information, such as checking and savings account information.

Check, money order, or cashier's check for the deposit.

Proof of income or ability to pay rent. If you're employed, bring a recent pay stub or tax return. If other financial assistance will be provided, you must show proof of income/ability to pay, such as a pay stub or tax return, and a passport or U.S. Social Security number.

If you have a support order often times the landlord will want to see your order to substantiate the monthly support you be receiving.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Custody refers to who has legal decision-making authority in the life of a child. The decision-making authority is usually in regard to major life issues such as religion, education, health and activities.
Typically in two-parent, intact families, parents share decision-making authority. The decision making process between co-habiting parents may reflect mutual input and a consensus model or a distribution of responsibilities where one parent takes a primary role with respect to making decisions and the other parent, generally in agreement and trusting with the decisions, takes a secondary role.

Pensions are joint assets, and can be divided in a divorce settlement. Your lawyer will need to prepare a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) before your divorce is finalized.

If your marriage lasted for at least 10 years, you are eligible to collect on your ex's spousal portion of their social security pension, provided that you don't qualify to collect based on your own earning. If you qualify, you can collect once your ex-husband turns 62 (whether or not he retires), and the divorce has been finalized for over two years.

Unmarried children under 18 are entitled to survivor benefits if your ex-husband dies.

If you were married for at least 10 years, you qualify for the same survivor benefits as a widow

In California, the person filing for divorce or a legal separation does
so by filing and serving a Summons and Petition for Divorce or Legal Separation.
The Petition has two parts. The first section of the Petition sets out basic
details such as the identities and residential addresses of each party, the date
and place of marriage, the names and dates of birth of any children of the
marriage, the matrimonial assets and so on. The second section of the Petition
sets out the orders or relief being sought by the person filing the document
(eg. sole custody).

In some
instances, a party may also need to seek urgent orders (eg. where you are very
concerned that the other spouse is or will dispose of matrimonial assets). Be
sure to get legal advice if there are immediate matters that need to be urgently
addressed whether they involve domestic violence, property or child custody.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

This is the time when you and your spouse are discussing the possibility of divorce. You may be in marriage counseling or individual therapy to save your marriage. It's also the time to start your financial planning for a possible divorce.

Find a good divorce lawyer. Efficiently utilize your time when you interview a prospective lawyer to learn about your potential risks and results if the divorce truly occurs. Start your divorce financial planning.

Avoid stressful situations and conflict as much as you can. Plan any pre-divorce discussions with your spouse so that they occur in a neutral location. Avoid involving your children, friends and relatives in your divorce.

If you and your spouse can have reasonable, somewhat amicable discussions about settlement, begin pre-settlement negotiations. Start with a full disclosure of the information about your income, assets, liabilities and expenses.

If divorce is imminent and you and your spouse can't communicate to work out your divorce settlement or if one of you is more in control and more powerful than the other, move on to the next step. Don't waste time and energy on trying to work out an agreement until you are both on a level playing field.

Collaborative Divorce is a process in which both spouses hire a lawyer specifically trained in collaborative family law: both lawyers work together with both spouses in confidential, four-way meetings in order to come up with mutually beneficial resolutions to their divorce issues. It's a cooperative, rather than competitive, method of settling marriage dissolution -- based on full disclosure and empathy rather than on trying to "win" with antagonistic deceit and mistrust.

Where separated parents are in agreement on major issues affecting the life of their child and have little or no concern for the judgment of each other, they can opt for joint custody, sometimes also referred to as shared custody. Here both parents legally have an equal say as to decisions affecting their child. It is assumed that they can reach decisions either by consensus or by one acquiescing to the judgment of the other.

Joint custody respects the equally important role of both parents in the child’s life and may facilitate less conflict and more involvement on the part of both parents. From the child’s point of view, this can mean more harmonious relationships which in theory leads to better adjustment. Typically joint custody works best where there are low levels of conflict between the parents or even in moderate conflict but where the parents can resolve disputes maturely. In some cases, parents opt for joint custody knowing they may periodically require the support of a mediator to reach certain decisions. If matters of violence, drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness or more than moderate levels of parental conflict exist, joint custody may be contra-indicated as it can lead to further conflict and distress to which the child would be exposed with potentially harmful consequences.

More recently, the concept of parallel parenting has entered into the social science literature. This form of joint custody denotes that major decisions are likely already in place, the result of mediation or Court Order and that both parents otherwise retain decision making authority while the child is in their respective care. In other words, both parents may make decisions about things like activities, as long as they do not interfere with the child’s time with the other parent.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

You and the other parent must make every effort to eliminate all types of negative actions towards one another in the presence of your child. This type of behavior can cause your child psychological harm that may be irreversible. This includes all arguments, phone arguments, nasty remarks, poking fun at one another, etc.

There have been many studies that have proven that the act of arguing in front of children causes significant emotional harm. It is understood that you and the other parent probably have your share of differences, but do not let those differences get the best of you and your child.

Partaking in verbal conflict in front of your child may cause him or her to have feelings of frustration, aggression, anxiety, depression, isolation, lack of self-esteem, just to name a few. You must keep in mind that a child has feelings towards both parents, and to see parents showing anger towards one another makes them extremely uncomfortable. At times they feel insecure. They are not sure what is right or wrong. Children can also assume that they are expected to pick a side, which creates separation. The golden rule to remember, "children should never be put in a position to take sides".
If the conflict between you and the other parent is or becomes very consistent, your child may show signs of tension and nervousness when you and the other parent are around each other. Since the verbal conflict is routine and it is all he or she may see and hear between the two of you, it is very easy for your child to perceive that he or she is the root or cause of the arguments.

A mistake parents may make when they separate from the family home is to try to compete with the other parent by showering the children with gifts. Sometimes parents do this out of guilt but you have to remember that your children do not need new things from you every time they see you; they do however, need your love. This is not a competition for the love of your children. They should love you unconditionally already and competing for their attention by buying them things or letting them stay up later or any other things that are done because you are trying to get them to favor you over your ex, is wrong. This will ultimately back fire on both of you. The children will pick this up very quickly and it will only make it confusing for the children as to how they are supposed to behave and what they are to expect. Your goal should be to keep the same rules for each house; that gives them the stability they need. If you are giving the children anything they ask for, the children will come to expect it. If they expect this behavior from you then setting limitations on them later becomes a big problem.

Deciding on divorce is a big decision. You should understand that you aren't a bad person just because you think you want a divorce. Your spouse is not automatically a bad person because he/she may be causing you to feel this way (or so you may think), you're just people, plain and simple. The Mindset You Need To Make This Difficult Decision
You're reading this for a reason...because you have been thinking about divorce for one reason or another. Being in "limbo" is a horrible feeling because you can't really get rooted if you are in limbo...all you know is that you aren't happy and don't know what to do.

You may feel stuck in a rut or feel like you are wandering aimlessly. Whatever the case, not being certain of what will happen can be tough to swallow and only contributes to your being unhappy. Another reason that this is usually a tumultuous and arduous time for people who are in this stage of life because it usually involves self reflection and a heightened awareness that may never have been reached before in your life.

This can be most difficult and scary, but I assure you it is healthy in the long run. When doing this "inward reflection", you may find out some things about yourself that you may not like. You may recall some things you had forgotten. You may realize that this isn't all your fault or you may realize that you had a hand in leading yourself here too. Whatever happens from here on in, your mindset has to be conducive to being brutally honest to yourself.

Since this can be a gut-wrenching time in your life, you absolutely must realize that one serious danger you face is making the mistake of not being fully aware that people don't make clear decisions during heightened emotional times. You must remember that emotion clouds judgment and bad decisions are made when the wrong side of your brain produces something by using emotion rather than intellect.

This cannot be stressed enough...when making any decision or thinking deeply about a concept, make certain that you are logical and impartial to the best of your ability. You must be comfortable with finding flaws within yourself and realizing that those are flaws that you agree with. You must be ready to admit self guilt and self fault, or this won't work.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Contemplating Divorce in California and Wish to Increase Odds of your Divorce matters being out of Public View?

How to avoid public court files which reveal personal information to the media or anyone interested enough to view your court file.

Often celebrity, public figure, and exceedingly wealthy clients as well as those who wish to remain private or keep their court file out of the hands of their future grown children, may agree with their opposing party to choose one of the following dispute resolution vehicles.

Private Judging: This dispute resolution remedy can effectively resolve disputes, in most cases more expeditiously and often more economically than the typical adversarial process. Additionally private judges may have qualitatively better family law experience than the judicial officers at court.

This process may include settlement conferences, case-management conferences, hearings on 1 or more issues, and trial. A private judge is endowed with the authority of the court and matters may be appealed similar to typical court decisions in the case of judicial error or abuse of discretion. Alternatively the parties could choose a more informal process from their private judge to streamline resolution of the issues.

While although technically this option is subject to possible attendance by the media in rare instances and typically only in the case of celebrity, will that happen. In the current economic climate private judging makes sense given that in most cases parties must provide for their own court reporters due to court budget cutbacks. What is more important the costs for employing a private judge can often be saved by avoiding delays alone; for example, repeated returns to court requiring counsel to review and prepare the issues multiple times to stay sharp with the facts and applicable law can be prohibitively expensive.

Mediation:

In most cases mediation is a faster process then the adversarial process. Dissolution issues may be resolved in as little as 1-2 sessions and up to 10 or more depending on the complexity of the case. Mediation in California is absolutely confidential. Nothing said durring mediation may be introduced into any court hearing, declaration or trial. Divorce judgements may be drafted in ways which do not reveal personal or private matters. For example the parties could agree that assets and debts not be listed in a Marital Settlement Agreement yet the executory provisions which need an enforcement mechanism be listed therein.

Mediation works best when the parties are transparent regarding all material information and facts concerning any asset or debt. Mediation is an optimal resolution dispute remedy only when there exists a level playing field as between parties. Most mediators will require each party to have a consulting attorney to explain the law and how it applies. Parties may choose to not apply the law in their circumstances or only partially. You may chose to bring your attorneys to mediation, but in either event parties and consel will be asked to approve the agreement in writing.

Collaborative Law:

A confidential and transparent process which takes place privately by legal professionals who leave the armor home. While still your advocate, they are highly trained in a process based dispute resolution system which weighs heavily on the parties, counsel and oftentimes financial or child custody professionals working together to develop an agreement taking into account and to the extent possible each party’s needs, interests and concerns. This process also may also include a mental health professionals called divorce coachs to enhance the climate and move parties and or their counsel to conclusion in a reasonably harmonious way. Like mediation, settlements can be drafted in ways which do not reveal personal or private matters.

About Me

Renee Marcelle has practiced law since 1983. Renee was admitted to practice law in Virginia in 1983 and California in 1988.
Prior to starting her practice in family law and dissolution, Renee was a seasoned corporate lawyer and real-estate professional. This background enables her to synthesize her knowledge of corporate law, mortgage banking, finance, and real-estate development, into family law.
Experience in the practice of law is crucial to the success of a client’s case, but in addition to Renee’s outstanding experience, she also has strong negotiation skills, extensive financing abilities, and she possesses an understanding of business valuation models, all of which applies to various aspects of family law and dissolution.
Renee’s extensive skills and twenty-five years of experience allow her to be specifically effective in representing professionals, executives, business owners, and high income individuals whom often have special challenges during dissolution.
Renee provides clients the high level of expertise that they deserve.

Dawn Miller: Paralegal/ Office Manager

Dawn Miller has been a Legal Assistant and the Office Manager for the Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle since July of 2004. She maintains a high level of client contact assisting in all aspects of preparing a case; beginning with the initial filing of documents through the date of trial, including discovery requests, expert review and analyzation of discovery responses and fact investigation, thereby saving the client money. Dawn has worked in the area of family law since 1993, upon her graduation from the Legal Secretary Program at Empire College of Law. Dawn especially enjoys her job at the Law Offices of Renee Marcelle and hopes to continue providing a high level of service to the firm and it's clientele for many years to come.